Which of the following are legal and acceptable reasons for the high level of merger activity in the U.S. during the 1980s?

a. A profitable firm acquires a firm with large accumulated tax losses that may be carried forward.

b. Purchase of assets below their replacement costs.

c. Attempts to stabilize earnings by diversifying.

d. Reduction in competition resulting from mergers.

e. Synergistic benefits arising from mergers.